Adventures in Innsbruck

On July 13th, we turned in our extremely heavy room keys at the Hotel Mozart and departed for a quite rainy Innsbruck, which means "The River Bridge." According to Dr. Maier, the town is connected to the LSB hymn "Now Rest Beneath Night's Shadow." Martin Luther named the tune "Innsbruck" with the town in mind. On one occasion, he traveled through Innsbruck on his way to Rome when he was a monk.

The first landmark we saw on the walking tour was the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof). Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I had it constructed in honor of his second marriage to Bianca of Italy. It was built with over 2,000 copper tiles painted over with gold. The wall beneath the roof actually features both of his wives (his first wife Mary had died in a hunting accident). Maximilian and Bianca are featured in conversation with one another, while the first wife is seen looking over Bianca's shoulder. Can you say, "Awkward?"!

My handsome hubby in front of the Golden Roof

Emperor Maximilian I had his body buried in the Hofkirche, the nave of which is surrounded by 28 larger-than-life bronze statues. Apparently, Albrecht Durer created a few.

Memorial to Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor from 1493-1519

In our free time, we also went to the Innsbruck Folk Museum, which features many wooden artifacts from everyday Alpine life. There are even rooms with wood paneling and furniture from real-life German homes!

Our final stop was to the Cathedral Saint Jakob (Saint James Cathedral), which is an important landmark on the St. James Pilgrimage. The path connects Spain to the Holy Land.  The views of the altar, pipe organ, and ceilings were absolutely breathtaking. For more pictures from any of the sites discussed above, please visit our map and click on "Innsbruck."

Cathedral St. Jakob